Response Surface Optimization of Avocado Pear (PerseaAmericana) Seed Oil Extraction and Characterization as a Potential Industrial Feedstock

Abstract

The present work is concerned with the study of the effect of temperature, time and their combined interactive effects on oil extraction yield from Avocado Pear seed using response surface methodology (RSM) in a soxhlet extraction apparatus with petroleum ether as solvent. The extracted avocado oil was also characterized to determine its suitability for relevant industrial application. The optimum extraction conditions were temperature of 60 0C, time of 5 hr with a corresponding oil yield of 17.9 wt%. Model validation using coefficient of determination (R2) gave a value of 0.9211. Physicochemical properties of the oil such as acid value (6.89 mg KOH/g), peroxide value (3.7 meq/kg), saponification value (189 mg KOH/g), iodine value (62.18 g I2/100g) establishes the potential of the oil for paint making, soap production and a potential feedstock for biodiesel production.